Wilma Rudolph (On My Own Biographies) [Paperback]

Victoria Sherrow (Author), Larry Johnson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: On My Own Biographies

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. In 1946, six-year-old Wilma Rudolph dreamed of walking and playing like other children after polio damaged her left leg. Her determination and perseverance were rewarded in the 1956 and 1960 Olympics where she gained fame as a champion runner.

--This text refers to the School & Library Binding edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6?Sherrow describes the poverty, poor health, and physical and emotional challenges that Rudolph overcame in order to succeed. However, while the world-class runner's achievements are detailed and some of her personal mistakes are mentioned, this remarkable athlete fails to emerge as a person. The last chapter, entitled "Inspiring Others," outlines the various positions the woman held in recent years and her efforts toward helping young people; it is dryly presented and not particularly inspirational. Good-quality black-and-white photographs appear throughout. A serviceable, but far-from-outstanding look at Rudolph's life.?Janice C. Hayes, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreeboro
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

The story begins in 1946 with six-year-old Wilma on the bus to Nashville for her weekly physical-therapy session. Weakened by polio, her leg is thin and crooked, but her family's loving support, and her own determination enable her not only to walk and run but also to win three gold medals for running in the 1960 Olympics. This book from the On My Own Biography series has the short words and large type of a beginning reader, but the text is somewhat longer than most in that category. Sherrow tells Rudolph's inspiring story with simplicity and dignity, and Johnson's paintings expressively portray the action and emotion implicit in the text. The artwork, sophisticated yet accessible to kids, makes the book a good choice for older children reading below grade level, though the placement of the suggested grade level on the front cover may put them off. A fine addition to library collections, even those with other Rudolph biographies on the shelf. Carolyn Phelan --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Carolrhoda Books (January 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575054426
• ISBN-13: 978-1575054421
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #211,632 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Sports & Activities > Sports > Track & Field
  • #6 in Books > Children's Books > Sports & Games > Sports > Track & Field
  • #56 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Biographies > Sports & Recreation

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wilma Rudolph, January 23, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Wilma Rudolph (On My Own Biographies) (Paperback)

Wilma Rodolph had one big problem before she became a famous Olympic runner, and that problem was that she had polio. Polio is a disease that you can die from or lose use of your legs. Wilma lost the use of her left leg only but was still in much pain. Every day, Wilma rode on a bus to a therapist to treat her leg. The bus ride took about 2 hours both ways. When this was happening Wilma was only six years old. Doctors told Wilma's parents, "She might not make it." Her parents were very upset. Wilma's family was very, very poor. Wilma wished very much that she could run like the other children at her school. But as Wilma got older (11) and she kept therapy she started to walk and run! It took Wilma along time for her to prepare but finally she won three gold medals in the 1960 Olympics! I would recommend this book to kids that like to run.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WILMA RUDOLPH, January 21, 2000

By 

KARLENE WASHINGTON (DALLAS TEXAS) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wilma Rudolph: Olympic Champion (Junior World Biographies) (Paperback)

THIS BOOK WAS INSPIRATION TO EVERY YOUNG BLACK CHILD THAT IS PURSURIG TRACK & FIELD. THIS BOOK TALKS HIGHLIGHTLY ON IF YOU SEE YOUR MIND TO A GOAL OR DREAM STICK WITH IT WHEN NO BELIEVES IN YOU BUT YOURSELF.